Internet Desk: High on confidence Mohun Bagan will look to seal their berth in the semi final to win their second match of the group against Shillong Lajong at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack tomorrow.
The defending champions of the Federation Cup had a great first day as they scored four goals that came from a Balwant Singh brace, a header from Daryl Duffy and Jeje added the fourth in stoppage time. The Mariners will be bolstered by the availability of their ace goalkeeper Debjit Majumder, who missed the first game due to suspension.
On the flip side, it was a disappointing first day for Shillong Lajong as they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against Bengaluru FC. Udanta Singh and Eugeneson Lyngdoh provided the two goals for the winning side and their third was a defensive mistake by Lajong captain, Aiborlang Khonjee which resulted in an own goal.
The last time Mohun Bagan and Shillong Lajong played against each other, was in Shillong back in April in a Hero I-League encounter in what was one of the most thrilling and entertaining matches played at the JN Stadium. Shillong Lajong gave Mohun Bagan a tough time at home. The result, however, ended with both teams sharing one point after a 1-1 draw.
Mohun Bagan Coach Sanjoy Sen told www.xtratime.in , “Lajong always throws stiff challenges to us. In the last season as well as this season we had to sacrifice the dreams of winning the I-League after dropping points against them. Though we won 5-0 against them in last year’s Federation Cup, we cannot deny the strength of their team. It won’t be easy tomorrow.”
The Bagan gaffer told, “We will be cautious tomorrow for sure. But we anyhow need three points against Lajong as we don’t want to keep it till the last game to qualify for the semis. We don’t want to take that pressure.” He also added, “Yes, both Balwant and Jeje got goals and we won by a big margin in the first game. But we did that not for the first time this season and it is past. Tomorrow will be a new challenge altogether.”
Shillong Lajong Head Coach Thangboi Singto shared his thoughts on the first game and what we can expect in the next game against Mohun Bagan. “It will be a tough game versus Mohun Bagan as we will miss the services of two key players, Dicka and Nim Dorjee, who got injured in the last match.”
“Mohun Bagan has always been a very strong side. It’s a good opportunity to play and do better this time. We will approach the game positively only”, he concluded.